2:50 pm today officially marks the beginning of spring break for everyone here and we are excited.
Since we are staying home all week, the kids and I brainstormed some activities they want to do:
I’m not sure how much I’ll be posting next week because, well, we’ll be having fun.
Have a Great Weekend!
I knew when my husband came home with large protruding crazed eyes, walking ahead of Alex and saying “I’m going to let him tell you,” it was going to be good.
But first, let me back up.
Since Alex is going into middle school next year, it is time to fill out his schedule.
We were all in agreement about what type of math and language arts he would be taking. Science and social studies are standard as well as technology and PE.
That left only only one elective.
He chose art.
Super. No homework. All in class. Free. Simple simple simple.
On the schedule paperwork you must rank your top 3 elective choices.
Alex put art first, band second, orchestra third.
There was no way he was doing theater or choir so we were fine with his choices. Not even a lengthy and impassioned speech from his dad about his joy of being a baritone in sixth grade choir could change his mind.
All set.
Not quite.
Apparently, if you put band down anywhere on your list, you must come in for an instrument test. The kids test out each instrument they are interested in to see if it’s a match for them.
This is where you insert my husband’s eyes practically leaping out from their sockets since he was with Alex.
Alex chose to try the french horn, the trombone, and the trumpet.
An area band director critiqued the student after each instrument try.
When Alex tried the french horn, “Good sound, wonderful pitch!”
When Alex tried the trombone, “Good sound, wonderful pitch!”
When Alex tried the trumpet, “Good sound, oh my, that’s the best sound that has come out of any student today. Wow you are a natural. The sound you produced was absolutely amazing. Wow. You are just a treat to listen to on this instrument.’
Or something like that.
Let me tell you when it is not going to be a treat listening to that instrument.
EVERYDAY AFTER SCHOOL.
Yes, Alex came home glowing, wanting to play the trumpet.
“I want to switch to band. The lady said I had a great sound. She said I was the best all day.”
……deep breaths…….of course she did, that bit*h………release of air……
“Wow, what made you change your mind?”
“You realize there will be lots of practice involved?”
“Might be difficult carrying a trumpet as you ride your bike to school.”
After a few talks and days to think about it we have a new list of electives:
#1 Band
#2 Art
#3 Orchestra
I now realize this “try your instrument” is such a scam.
I’m onto you middle school.
We won’t be making that same mistake with the next kid.
Of course, I felt a little better last night when a mom texted me last night saying: James switched from theater to band! What did Alex decide?
He decided to switch from art to band – playing the trumpet. You cannot make me put on a “band mom” t-shirt. What instrument did James decide on?
The bassoon! No shirt here but we might be forced to put the decal on our car.
I laughed and suddenly felt better.
The bassoon requires private lessons.
At Caroline’s super hero training birthday party, the kids were required to complete 4 missions.
Each mission had one or two components. For example, there was an “Accuracy Mission,” since all super heroes need to have good accuracy when fighting the bad guys. A bean bag toss and a ping pong bounce game were played in order to test our little super hero trainees. Since they passed that mission, they received super hero cuffs – more on those another day.
The 2nd mission, the “Eye Test,” consisted of two activities – Super Hero Bingo and Bad Guy Scavenger Hunt. Super heroes need to have good eyesight to spot the bad guys so these activities tested that.
The Bad Guy Scavenger Hunt was definitely a 4 year old favorite.
Each trainee was given a marker and a sheet containing 16, “Bad Guys.” I used characters they might know of instead of typical comic book villains.
Click here for the Bad Guys Scavenger Hunt
The trainees were then asked to walk around our first floor to find the bad guys. They particularly enjoyed being able to mark off each character once they found a bad guy.
Before the party I had printed out large versions of the same characters on their scavenger hunt sheet and taped them around the house.
Mother Goethel from Tangled
Can you spot Captain Hook?
Syndrome from the Incredibles
Once the trainees completed their eyesight mission – bingo game and the scavenger hunt – they received a chest letter (piece of felt with a safety pin (with a flat back) glued onto the back.
Man, four year olds are so much fun!
All 11 of the girls loved dressing up and were totally game for each mission.
Scavenger hunt for 4 year olds, mark that one down as a keeper!
My little one only has a few days until she turns four.
Hard to believe.
Even in just the past week I think she has grown up so much especially with her pretend play and vocabulary.
Thought I would share just a few fun things I’ve heard this week.
“I don’t want piggy tails in my hair today.”
Standing naked right before getting in the shower: “Look at me, I’m getting huge!”
Walking downstairs talking to her friend: “Let’s go downstairs and ask Jennifer. That’s my mom.”
“I want to play with my boys right now.” (her brothers) 🙂
“Your mom read this book to you when you were tiny?”
“I love you Mommy.”
The tooth fairy visited here the other night.
Thank goodness she remembered to come.
On one occasion, a few years ago, the tooth fairy forgot completely.
I think she was distracted with the new Law and Order that was on that night.
Anyway, it was ugly.
Crying ensued, excuses about a storm making it difficult for her to fly were thrown out. An overall disaster.
Thankfully, she remembered to come the following night, bringing money, a toothbrush, and a new book.
You know, Negligent Tooth Fairy Guilt.
Trust me when I say you never want to go through that.
In steps Mr. Tooth Fairy to the rescue.
Immediately upon hearing the words, “I lost a tooth,” he reaches for his phone and ignores the child completely. He quickly punches in numbers and commands which will alert Mr. & Mrs. Tooth Fairy at 10:03pm.
At said 10:03, an alarm begins to sound.
Mr. & Mrs. Tooth Fairy have no idea what is happening and begin to think it must be time to take out a nonexistent loaf of banana bread.
Soon after though they come to their senses and remember that everyone’s happiness is on the line.
A minor panic occurs when realization hits that no $1 dollar bills are to be found in the house. An intense debate begins on what an awful precedent it would be to give $5 for one tooth.
The problem is eventually solved and Mr. & Mrs. Tooth Fairy have a deep sleep knowing they have completed their mission.
Early the next morning the child is thrilled to wake up and discover 3 quarters, 2 dimes, and a nickel under his pillow.
Mr. & Mrs. Tooth Fairy smile and know that everyone’s happiness it all due to that little device sitting on the kitchen counter.
For the last 2 weeks I have included a Valentine joke in the lunchboxes.
One day I placed the following joke in my first grader’s lunchbox:
What did the bat say to his girlfriend?
You’re fun to hang around with!
Hahahahahahaha.
Or so I thought.
He came home complaining about the joke in his lunch.
“Gloria and Farrah were making fun of me saying that Lauren and me are boyfriend and girlfriend just like the bats.”
“What did you do?”
“I told them I was going to tell the teacher.”
“And then what happened?”
“Gloria said, “Please please forgive me.”
“And then?”
“I told her I would forgive her but I was still going to tell the teacher.”
“And?”
“I told the teacher.”
“”And then what happened?”
“She gave them tally marks when we got back in the classroom.”
“And?”
“And I feel good about that.”
I decided not to send a Valentine in his lunchbox the next day.
Derek and I usually take turns bringing the boys to their nightly activities.
Right now we have a ton, poor planning on our part, so one of us is away each night of the week.
The other stays with Caroline and gets her ready for bed.
If it’s my night out with the boys I go see her when I get home if she’s still awake.
“Hi Sweet Girl. I’m home.”
“I miss-tided you Mommy.”
Pretty much instantly melts my heart.
No matter what craziness has occurred in the day, it goes away at that moment.
One day I’m going to miss-tided that.
Dear Lord,
Please watch over the men in my life when I die.
Since I am the only one who apparently has the ability to change the toilet paper roll or notice the extra roll has been used they will need your help.
They will be hopping out of the bathroom with their pants down trying to reach the cabinet where the paper is kept. It won’t be pretty but I know you will see that they don’t fall.
It may get a little ugly when they realize the extra toilet paper has been used up and the next best item to use is on the kitchen table. It won’t be pretty again but at least you will have provided for them.
Don’t worry when this continues on for a week and it still doesn’t seem to bother them. Continue in your good work and they will eventually see the light.
Your faithful follower,
Jennifer
I’ve started making a Halloween costume already.
I know, I know.
But you see, there’s this adorable little 3 year old who has been sick for days who was asking for a cheetah costume.
She’s already determined to be a cheetah for Halloween.
Now you would think being a typical kid she would drop this idea in a week and be onto the next costume. But not this girl. A year ago we had a Mary Poppins birthday party for her. Roughly three days later she decided she was going to have a Wonder Woman party for her next party. And low and behold, here I am making super hero cuffs for her party eleven months later.
After watching her with a runny nose and a terrible cough I decided to get this girl her cheetah costume.
The starting point for the costume was a black tutu my brother gave Caroline last year. It’s adorable and she loves it.
For the next part of the costume I headed to the mall.
Why not the fabric store you ask?
I just can’t stand in line with that big bolt of cheetah fabric. I think I would have to start talking needlessly to everyone in the line explaining why I would be paying money for gobs of fabric which screams street walker to me.
Surprisingly, once you start looking, there is a lot of cheetah clothing out there.
Just walk into Forever 21 and scan for cheetah. You will be amazed at the ensembles you could put together.
Slinky cheetah dress with rhinestones – check!
Cheetah print camisole – check!
Pleather cheetah pants – check!
Actually as I was on my hunt for cheetah I honestly did consider buying the camisole in size 3X and using the fabric to make a cheetah shirt for Caroline. Again, I’m sure I would have found myself explaining the purchase to the saleslady.
Ultimately, I found cheetah leggins in Dillard’s for $12 and was happy with that.
Then I walked into Janie and Jack.
My eyes saw this skirt.…
Her size..only $17.
Nope. She already has her tutu. Don’t need it.
This cheetah dress….
Don’t need it but it would be perfect if she wanted to be Jane of the Jungle the following Halloween.
I passed by hair bows, coats, socks, and purses – all cheetah print.
And then I saw it…
Yep, for $7 these cheetah ear muffs were mine. And Caroline’s. I knew she would love them. They’re just crazy but make perfect cheetah ears.
And I was right. She loved them.
So for the past two days she has worn her cheetah leggings, cheetah tutu, and cheetah ear muffs going growl, cough, growl, cough.
No shirt but really, who needs a shirt to distract from all that cheetah goodness.
So there you have it. Halloween costume#1 is partially done.
We still need to add a black shirt and claws but I’m hoping to wait her out until at least June.
“Ha ha!” yelled the universe.
“You fool!” cried Karma
“Cough, cough, cough,” went my three kids.
After saying what a productive weekend I had, it all came to a crashing halt today, and I accomplished nothing.
No wait.
I took all three kids to the doctor.
And doled out medicine.
And made lemon chex mix.
So take that destiny!